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According to a report ^[2] from DigiTimes, Apple will begin volume production of the iPad 5 in July-August of this year. The information on timeframe reportedly comes from sources in supply chain makers in Taiwan.

The information on a July-August ramp up of iPad 5 production contradicts many earlier rumors that had suggested the next iPad release as yearly as April.

Apple’s traditional timeframe for iPad releases has been in the first several months of the year, but last year the company launched two iPads – one in March, and one in November – which may have changed the usual timetalbe.

The next iPad is said to be lighter and thinner than the current full-sized iPad. The iPad 5 is also rumored to have the same thin-bezel design as seen in the iPad mini.